Chapter 208: S2- A Fool

The butler grabbed her wrist, a sneer of contempt and ridicule appearing on his face. "Fool, did you really think our young master would marry someone as worthless as you?"

Astrid struggled desperately, shouting angrily, "You... You're talking nonsense! Edric personally went to my house with the betrothal gifts! How could that be wrong?"

"Edric delivered the betrothal gifts, but did he ever explicitly say they were for marrying you?" The butler scoffed, not even bothering to waste his gaze on her.

Astrid recalled the scene when Edric, acting on behalf of Magnus, brought the betrothal gifts to her family. Her vision darkened instantly. She had been too overwhelmed with joy at the time to think things through.

But now, with the butler's reminder, she finally realized something was wrong. Her legs grew weak, and she shook her head violently. "No... No way... Magnus wouldn't do this to me..."

"Sold off and still feeling pleased with yourself? If you still want a sliver of hope, come with me to see the old master right now." The butler released her wrist, pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his hand several times, then tossed it into the trash can before striding out of the room.

Astrid didn't dare hesitate any longer and quickly followed. The old master was her only hope now.

A sales assistant carrying a wedding dress hurried after her. "Miss Thorne, aren't you going to try on the dress?"

But Astrid, overwhelmed by turmoil and on the verge of breaking down, had no time to respond. She rushed after the butler and got into the car, heading straight for the Voss estate.

Realizing she might have been deceived, Astrid's arrogance disappeared in an instant. Her attitude toward the butler shifted completely-humble and submissive to the extreme.

The old master was in the estate, focused on solving a complex puzzle. When he heard she had arrived, he didn't even lift his head.

"Grandpa Voss, I was wrong. Last time at the estate, I was reckless and spoke without thinking. I promise it won't happen again," Astrid stood before him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, looking pitiful.

The old master placed a white stone on the board, his fingers idly playing with the ring on his hand. His stern face carried a sharp, imposing air. "I've said before-I admire you."

Astrid's tears spilled over in an instant. She sobbed, "Being acknowledged by you is the greatest honor of my life, Grandpa."

The old master spoke calmly, "Your family aiming to become in-laws with my family is an overreach. But compared to Senna, that murderer, I'd much rather have you as my granddaughter-in-law."

Joy surged in Astrid's heart. "Thank you, Grandpa!"

"Don't be too happy yet," the old master said coolly. "Magnus doesn't want to marry you. I heard you transferred both your own shares and your grandparents' shares to him."

"Edric told me it was part of the dowry Magnus required from our family. I was foolish... I signed without reading carefully..." Realizing she had lost both her love and her wealth, she broke down in tears.

The deepest pain in the world is not heartbreak-it's giving your heart to someone, only to realize they were deceiving you all along.

The old master picked up a puzzle piece, frowning. "That woman is living in Rosewood Manor. As long as she's gone, you'll be the bride on the tenth."

"I know what to do," Astrid clenched her fists tightly, her eyes flashing with vicious determination. Three years ago, she had failed to get rid of her. Three years later, she would make sure she died.

The old master frowned at the puzzle, unable to make a move. No matter what, the game was a deadlock.

The sunny day had turned into a torrential downpour by nightfall. Senna lay alone on the vast bed, and by midnight, she was once again trapped in a nightmare.

She dreamt of Tobias bidding her farewell, just like that cold and lonely rainy night three years ago, when she had been handcuffed to an icy hospital bed, struggling in the grip of her nightmare.

"Tobias... don't go... Tobias..."

It was her fault. She had failed him. If she hadn't gone to prison, maybe he wouldn't have died. She never should have gotten involved with Magnus. She had once naively believed she was his only one, but the moment he pushed her away, she realized she had never truly entered his heart.

In her nightmare, Senna sobbed in agony. "Tobias... I'm sorry... I am sorry... Don't go... sobs..."

"Senna, wake up. Senna-" A pair of warm, strong arms wrapped around her just as she was about to drown in her grief.

Senna's eyes snapped open, tears of despair filling them. The moment she saw the familiar face so close to hers, she raised her hand and slapped him with all her strength.

The crisp sound of the slap echoed through the spacious bedroom. With tears of pain and hatred in her eyes, she glared at him. "Magnus, give me back my brother's life!"

Magnus tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth but swallowed it down. He grabbed her wrist and pinned it beside her, his icy gaze locked onto hers as he spoke in a low voice. "It's been three years. You should forget about him."

Senna struggled violently, her bloodshot eyes filled with endless, searing hatred. Tears of remorse streamed down her face as she screamed at him with all the anguish in her soul. "Impossible! He was my only family, my little brother! I will never forget him for as long as I live. You're a murderer-you killed him! I will kill you and avenge Tobias!"

Magnus held her tightly, his heart twisting in unbearable pain. His eyes turned misty as he murmured a desperate plea, "Senna, let go of the past. Let's go back to the way we were."

"Never!" Senna gritted her teeth, glaring at him with pure hatred. "Even if the sky collapses and the world ends, I will never forget how you killed my brother! You want to go back? Dream on!"

Her hatred was a dagger slicing through his bleeding heart. Holding her trembling body, Magnus whispered, "If I could give you Tobias's life back, would you forgive me?"

"I don't want to hear such impossible nonsense! And I won't let you use Tobias to play games with me. Get out! Just get out!"

Just thinking of Tobias's death made her heart shatter all over again. It hurt-so unbearably much. Her grief poured out like the relentless downpour outside, endless and uncontainable.

"I won't leave."

How could he heal the wounds in her heart? Magnus tightened his embrace, pressing her against him. Her tears soaked through his shirt, burning into his skin, searing into his soul. He rested his chin on her head, refusing to let her see the shimmering tears in his own eyes.

Outside, the storm raged, thunder roaring like the heavens' fury. The whole world was drenched in rain.

Senna had sworn she wouldn't allow herself to cry until she avenged Tobias.

But at this moment, in his arms, she wept like a lost child.